The Way We Live Now
BBC Home Video (2001)
TV Series  /  Drama, Family, Romance
In Collection
#1410
0*
Seen ItYes
794051162021
IMDB   7.6
5 hr 40 mins UK / English
DVD  Region 1   NR (Not Rated)
David Suchet
Matthew MacFadyen
Paloma Baeza
Cheryl Campbell
Shirley Henderson
Douglas Hodge
Cillian Murphy
Miranda Otto
David Bradley
Rob Brydon
Tony Britton
Allan Corduner
Joanna David
Michele Dotrice
Anne-Marie Duff
Oliver Ford Davies Mr. Longestaffe
Matthew MacFadyen Sir Felix Carbury
Cillian Murphy Paul Montague
David Suchet Augustus Melmotte
Allan Corduner Croll
Anne-Marie Duff Georgiana Longestaffe
Paloma Baeza Hetta Carbury
Cheryl Campbell Lady Carbury
Maxine Peake Ruby Ruggles
Richard Cant Dolly Longestaffe
Miranda Otto Mrs. Hurtle
Shirley Henderson Marie Melmotte
Nicholas McGaughey John Crumb
Douglas Hodge Roger Carbury
Stuart McQuarrie Lord Nidderdale
Director
David Yates
Hisashi Nogami
Producer Nigel Stafford-Clark
Rebecca Eaton
Writer Andrew Davies
Anthony Trollope
Cinematography Chris Seager

First screened on BBC in 2001, The Way We Live Now will surprise those who know Anthony Trollope through the subtleties of his Barsetshire novels. This story of ambition centers around Augustus Melmotte, an Austrian Jewish financier who takes the London money markets and social scene by storm in his efforts to become an "English country gentleman." His rise and fall is followed with remorseless logic by Trollope, and David Yates's direction keeps this in focus against a wealth of subplots and character interaction. The cast is a strong one, with David Suchet's Melmotte gripping in his recklessness, climaxing in the theatrical magnificence of his departure in disgrace from the House of Commons. Shirley Henderson is magnetic as his put-upon daughter Marie, courted by the cream-of-society bachelors for her dowry rather than her person.
Episodes
Disc 01
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 15 mins    11/11/2001  1.  Episode 1
When infamous financier Augustus Melmotte (David Suchet) mysteriously appears in London, the city's impoverished aristocrats greedily court his favor. Felix Carbury, a charming but lazy young baronet, is one of the many gentlemen swarming around Melmotte's rich heiress daughter, Marie. Meanwhile, Felix's independently minded sister, Hetta, falls in love with a bright young engineer, Paul Montague, who is in town to approach Melmotte with an ambitious business propostion. Complications soon arise in business and love.
Director:  David Yates  Writer:  Andrew Davies 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 15 mins    11/18/2001  2.  Episode 2
While Paul Montague throws himself into the booming railway business with Melmotte, the presence of his mysterious American friend in London threatens to jeopardize his chances with Hetta. Felix is forced to desperate measures to secure his future with Marie when he learns that her father is planning her marriage to a rival suitor.
Director:  David Yates  Writer:  Andrew Davies 
Disc 02
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 15 mins    11/25/2001  3.  Episode 3
Paul visits Mexico to have his worst fears about the railway construction confirmed. Returning to London he decides to confront Melmotte and resolve his romantic situation. Melmotte involves himself in increasingly ambitious business schemes while Felix gets himself into further trouble and Hetta recieves some devastating news.
Director:  David Yates  Writer:  Andrew Davies 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 15 mins    12/2/2001  4.  Episode 4
Melmotte reaches the highest echelons of London society but the wolves are beginning to gather at his door. Paul takes his chance to act and Felix comes face to face with some tough opposition, while Hetta contemplates settling for second best. Climaxing in love lost, love gained, a death and some just desserts.
Director:  David Yates  Writer:  Andrew Davies 
Edition Details
Series Anthony Trollope
Distributor BBC Home Video
Release Date 4/30/2002
Packaging Custom Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3)
Subtitles English (Closed Captioned)
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital Stereo [English]
Stereo [English]
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Discs/Tapes 2

Features
Disc 01 Interactive Menus Scene Selection
User Defined
User Lookup 1 Anthony Trollope